Freddie Kitchens not considering giving up playcalling duties amid criticism

Cleveland Browns coach Freddie Kitchens took heavy criticism for some of his playcalling in Sunday night’s loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but he’s not going to be giving up control of the playbook.

Kitchens dismissed suggestions that he might cede playcalling duties, saying Monday that the idea is not even being considered.

#Browns Freddie Kitchens on giving up the playcalling: 'That's not even being considered'

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) September 23, 2019

We’re only three weeks into the season, and Kitchens got the head coaching job in part because the Browns liked how he called plays in 2018. Still, it’s easy to see where the criticism is coming from. Kitchens himself was critical of his decision to pass four straight times in a goal-to-go spot at the end of Sunday’s game. He was also harshly criticized for running a draw play on 4th and 9 in the fourth quarter.

It may be too soon for Kitchens to consider giving up playcalling duties, but the criticism is only going to mount if Cleveland’s offense doesn’t start turning things around quickly.